Folding extension car-step.



E. H. JOHNSON.

FOLDING EXTENSION CAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31. I916.

Patented Oct. 10,1916.

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H.10HNSON. FOLDING EXTENSION CAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3|, l9l6.

1,201,188. Patented 0ct.10, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN H. JOHNSON, OF SAYRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING EXTENSION CAR-STEP.

Application filed July 31, 1916. Serial N 0. 112,349.

ment for car steps which may be quickly moved to convenient positions to assist passengers in alighting and which may be quickly folded into an inoperative position when not in use.

Another object of my invention is toprovide an extension step for cars which may be attached to any of the standard types of railway car steps without materially altering the structure of the step.

A further object of my invention is to provide a folding attachment for car steps which when in folded position is completely housed and hid from view. 1

Another advantageous feature of my improved step is that the same permits the use of the car step in connection with elevated platforms, that is, the extension attachment does not interferewith the use of the car in connection with raised station platforms, which are now coming into common use on railways.

Other objects and advantages to be derived from the use of my improved extension attachment for car steps will appear from the following detail description and the claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Figure l is a perspective view of a railway car step showing my improved extension attachment in extended position; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the step in folded position; Fig. 4 is an end view of the step, one side being removed showing the supporting mechanism and the extension step in folded position; Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the supporting bracket for the extension step; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of the brace connection.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar characters of reference designate like and corresponding parts Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

throughout the various views, 1 designates the'platform of a railway car or the like, and 2 designates the standard steps. The stepls 32 are provided with the usual side wa s My improved extension step is adapted to be operatively arranged on the lowermost step of the railway car. has been designated 4 for convenience in describing the device.

The lower step The extension step of my invention is designated 5 and is supported by-means of links 6 pivotally connected thereto as at 7. The links 6 are pivotally mounted on screws 8 arranged at the opposite endof the lowermost step 4. Washers 8 serve to space the links and facilitatemovement of the same on their bearings.

The extension step 5 is maintained in horizontal position when extended by means of a pair of foldable brace-arms 9,

said brace-arms being pivotally associated with the step section 5 as at 10. The bracearms 9v are jointed as at 11, spring tongues 12 carried by one section of each of the arms engaging the adjoining section to lock the same. This engagement is best shown in Fig. 5 at 13. The upper free ends of the brace-arms 9 are pivotally mounted on the screws 8. A pair of diagonal rods 14 are provided, said rods being pivoted at 15 on brackets 16 carried by the lowermost step 4, the free ends of said rods being recessed as at 17 to engage through openings 18 formed in brackets19 carried by the extension step 5. When the step section 5 is in extended position the brace rods 14 engage the brackets 19 preventing accidental movement of the step. A strip 20 is arranged along the outer marginal edge of the lowermost step section 4, said strip having a pair of spring clips 21 arranged thereon, said clips being adapted to engage the rods 14 when the step 5 is in folded position, as best shown in Fig. 3. A handle 22 is carried by the lower face of the extension step 5 for removing the step from folded position. It will be seen that the strip 20 forms a pocket for reception of the step 5 when in folded position and the rods 14 serve to prevent displacement of the step sections. A pair of strips 24 are arranged adjacent the free ends of the lowermost step 4 to cover the joints of the links 6 and the supporting brace-arms 9.

In use, when it is desired to extend the step 5 the handle 22 is grasped, the rods 14 first being disengaged from the clip members 21. The step is now drawn downwardly and outwardly until the free ends of the rods 14: engage the brackets 19. The brace arms 9 are now straightened and the step is in position for use. In folding the operation set forth is reversed, the extension step 5 being received beneath the step 4 and behind the strip 20. It will be seen that my improved car step may be applied to any of the existing types of railway car steps without altering the standard structure materially.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of my invention may be had, and while I have shown and-described the device as embodying a specific structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure asdo not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination with a plurality of fixed steps, of an extension step therefor including a tread section, links hinging said section to the lowermost of said fixed steps, jointed brace arms, locking springs therefor, a plurality of brace rods carried by said lowermost fixed step engaging the rear edge of said tread section to lock the same in extended position, and a plurality of clips carried by said lowermost fixed step to engage said brace rods when the tread is in folded position.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of av plurality of fixed steps, an extension step therefor, said extension step being hingedly connected with the lowermost fixed step and to be folded therebencath, means for maintaining said extension step in horizontal position when extended, and means for bracing said extension step when in extended position, last mentioned means serving to lock said extension step in closed position.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of fixed steps, of an extension step therefor including a tread section, links pivotally connecting the inner edge of said section to the outer edge of the lowermost fixed step, brace rods for said tread section pivotally connected with the inner edge of the lowermost fixed step and having detachable connection at their free ends with the tread section, and brace means for the tread carried by the lowermost fixed step to maintain the tread section in horizontal position when extended.

4. The combination with a plurality of fixed steps, of an extension step therefor, including a tread section, links pivotally connecting the tread section to the lowermost fixed step to permit said section to be folded therebeneath, a strip carried by the lowermost fixed step, a plurality of brace rods pivotally connected by the inner edge of the lowermost step, said rods being adapted to engage the tread section when in extended position to maintain the same in such position, and clip members carried by said strip engageable with said rods when the tread section is in folded positionto maintain the latter against displacement.

5. The combination with a plurality of fixed steps, of an extension step therefor composed of a tread section, link members pivotally connected with said tread section and with the lowermost fixed step to permit the tread sections to be folded therebeneath, brace means for maintaining said tread section in horizontal position when extended, rod members pivotally connected at the inner edges of the lowermost fixed step, the free ends of said rod members being provided with hooks, and means carried by the tread section engageable by said hooks to maintain said section in extended position.

6. The combination with a plurality of fixed steps, of an extension step therefor composed of a tread section, link members pivotally connected with said tread section and with the lowermost fixed step to permit the tread sections to be folded therebeneath, brace means for maintaining said tread section in horizontal position when extended, rod members pivotally connected at the inner edges of the lowermost fixed step, the

free ends of said rod members being pro-' vided with hooks, means carried by the tread section engageable by said'hooks to maintain said section in extended position, a downwardly directed flange on the lowermost fixed step, and clip members engageable with said rod members when said section is folded to maintain the same against displacement.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

EDWIN H. JOHNSON. In the presence of S. JOHNSON, GEORGE P. LOWMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each..by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents Washington. D. C." 

